Golf Days....

Somerville's Ryan Vogel places a club into his bag after completing the second hole at Unicorn Golf Course during their match against Medford.

I arrived at Unicorn Golf Course after the match had already started, luckily the staff at the course was nice enough to let me use a cart. This enabled me to be able to move around the course and position myself in the best possible place to create an image. I noticed a golf bag in a perfect location under a backlit tree and I knew at some point when a person arrived an image might unfold. I was luck that Ryan was positioned perfectly for me to capture this sports feature photograph.

Nikon D4s, 1/5000 @ f/5, ISO 3200, 70-200mm

Sawyer Pond

I always enjoy my annual backpacking trip to Sawyer Pond in the White Mountain National Forest in New Hampshire. I don't bring a lot of photography equipment with me and only bring my small Fuji. I go rain or shine and this year I was rewarded with two days of clear blue skies and warm soft light from the setting sun. On the last evening of my trip I couldn't pass up a great opportunity to photograph the fall foliage reflecting in Sawyer Pond, which has a maximum depth of 100 feet and was once an active volcano.

Fuji XT-1, 1/125 @ f/7.1, ISO 320, 18-55mm

 Fuji XT-1, 1/125 @ f/6.4, ISO 320, 18-55mm 

Fuji XT-1, 1/125 @ f/4.5, ISO 320, 18-55mm

Cabot Gallery & Art Studios

Sarah LoVasco, director, hangs a piece of acrylic artwork by artist Brett Mason titled "No More Than a Cubic Meter of Air" on the wall inside the Cabot Gallery & Artist Studios in Beverly, as she prepares for the first annual Group Exhibition, Artists of 222.

I met Sarah outside the Cabot Gallery & Art Studios, which is in a beautiful old historic building in downtown Beverly. I love how my job helps me gain access and learn a little bit about other peoples lives and gives me the opportunity to visit unique places. Check out Wicked Local Beverly to read the story and check out more photos.

Nikon D4s, 1/200 @ f/8, ISO 3200, 24-70mm

Nikon D4s, 1/125 @f/8, ISO 3200, 24-70mm

Close Call

Michael Tansey of Peabody nearly gets kick in the head by Pasulayman Sowe of Lynn Classical as he attempts to head the ball during their game at Manning Field in Lynn.

Soccer is a great sport to photograph. There is always action on the field and the game has a good pace. Staying focused and understanding the game being photographed is a key element in capturing peak action.

Nikon D4s, 1/2500 @ 4.5, ISO 400, 300mm with a 1.4x teleconverter

Moon Rise Over North Light

I did my research and was able to create another image of the North Light at Thatcher's Island in Gloucester, this time with July's Full Buck Moon instead of the June's Full Strawberry Moon. I knew where the moon was going to be because of the research I did but the flying egrets were a welcomed surprised.

Nikon D810, 1/320 @ f/11, ISO 900, 500mm with a 1.4x teleconverter

Fore!

I was assigned to photograph golf at Turner Hill Golf Club on a beautiful summer afternoon. Not a bad days work. One of the best parts of this particular golf course is the rolling hills and white sand bunkers. I like how the Masconomet players red shirt really stands out from the lush green grass. If you look close enough you can see the tee flying through the air.

Nikon D3s, 1/1600 @ f/5, ISO 640, 70-200mm with a 1.4x teleconverter

Snowy Egret Takes Flight

A snowy egret takes flight from a salt marsh at the Parker River National Refuge. Once again patience plays a large roll in photographing wild animals. I didn't see much from this trip but sometimes when I find a subject worthy of an image I will wait until there is some action to photograph.

Nikon D810, 1/2500 @ f/8, ISO 1600, 500mm with a 1.4x teleconverter

Musical Shadows

The shadows of high school marching band students are cast on the turf football field outside Beverly High School during marching band camp.

With summer seemingly slipping away, once again high fall sports and activities are quickly ramping up. I was assigned to photograph one of the local high schools as they practiced during band camp. I had free reign and noticed the students shadows as they marched on the field. I choose a low angle to help emphasize the rows of shadows

Nikon D4s, 1/250 @f/14, ISO 360, 24-70mm

Can Hillary Clinton Cut It?

A life sized cardboard cutout of Democratic presidential candidate Hillary Clinton is seen inside the hall of Gerry 5 at the Marblehead Democratic Town Committee's picnic.

I was looking for creative ways to incorporate the cutout into a photo, however the problem I had was everyone was listening to the speakers and had their backs turned to me. I was hoping for some sort of interaction between the cutout and someone in attendance. I never saw that happen so I captured the scene that was in front of me. 

Nikon D4s, 1/250 @ f/4, ISO 18000, 24-70mm

Let Sleeping Pigs Lie

A pig rests while being accompanied by chickens inside the Livestock Barn at Essex Technical High School in Danvers.

My assignment was to photograph some of the updates that have been made to Essex Technical High School in Danvers for an upcoming story. While on a tour of the grounds I was lead into the Livestock Barn where some of the animals were kept. There were a few chickens and rosters around as well as two very large pigs. I was able to take a few quick photographs before being charged by one of the rosters in the barn. My tour guide and I didn't waste any time and quickly left the barn. I was told this was a common occurrence and the rooster only tolerated people he was familiar with.

Nikon D3s, 1/250 @ f/5, ISO 5000, 70-200mm

US Olympian Abbey D'Agostino

Topsfield, MA native and 2016 Rio Olympics qualifier in the 5000 meter, Abbey D'Agostino, poses for a photo inside the Harvard University indoor track complex where she trains.

I had the privilege to meet and photograph Abbey a few weeks ago at the Harvard Athletic Complex at Harvard University, one of the sites where she trains. We meet at the indoor track and started taking some environmental portraits. Whenever I show up to an assignment I'm never sure what I'll be faced with. This assignment worked out well, we had the track all to ourselves and didn't have to find an alternative location. I always enjoy meeting people and hearing a little bit about their stories.

Nikon D4s, 1/250 @ f/5, ISO 3200, 24-70mm

Marshall Point Lighthouse

Marshall Point Lighthouse is located in a quiet neighborhood near Port Clyde, Maine, and is surrounded by some of Maine's many islands. This lighthouse is probably most famous for being in the movie Forrest Gump.

I made sure to arrive at least an hour before sunset. This gave me time to explore the area and scout out shooting locations. I was expecting a lot of tourists and people hanging around but to my surprise it was fairly quiet and I was able to photograph various angles of the lighthouse without having to worry about people being in my photographs. I made the most out of my long drive and stayed for about 6 hours to capture the lighthouse during sunset and with the stars.

Nikon D810, 20 sec. @ f/2.8, ISO 1600, 24-70mm

Nikon D810, 25 sec. @ f/14, ISO 200, 24-70mm

Nikon D810, 1/4 @ f/14, ISO 200, 24-70mm

A Walk In The Clouds

I'm always looking for images wherever I go. I captured this photo while on assignment in Somerville. I noticed a bunch of large banners, about 15 feet tall, with graphics on them while walking past a parking lot. The banners were catching my eye but this one with the women in the red dress on it was great. I choose a very low angle and photographed for a few minutes capturing images as the clouds moved past. Waiting for the right shape of clouds made a difference in the final image. Paying attention to colors and how they work together can be a great way to take your images to the next level.

Nikon D3s, 1/500 @ f/11, ISO 200, 24-70mm

Reflecting on Healthcare

A pedestrian walks near the Partners Healthcare building at Assembly Square in Somerville.

My assignment was to photograph the new Partners Healthcare building as well as other construction around the Assembly Square area of Somerville. I had no idea how far along construction was but to my surprise the building looked almost complete. This worked to my advantage and I was able to walk around the square for a bit capturing various angles of the building and the great reflections of the clouds.

Nikon D3s, 1/250 @f/8, ISO 220, 24-70mm

Snowy Egret Fishing

As I was leaving Parker River National Refuge I spotted a snowy egret in one of the salt pannes. I almost didn't stop because egrets are there all the time but I couldn't resits the opportunity. I spent a while photographing the egret as it fished. I had a few shots that worked out well, but this one is the best. It was incredible to see how easily the egret was able to hunt for its food.

Nikon D810, 1/2500 @ f/8, ISO 800, 500mm with a 1.4x teleconverter

Glover's Regiment

Glover's Regiment captain, Seamus Daly, left, looks on as soldier Frank Lyons, center, fires his musket during a mock skirmish with soldiers from the Crown Forces during the Glover's Regiment annual encampment at Fort Sewall in Marblehead.

Attending the annual Glover's Regiment encampment is like stepping back in time. One of the highlights is the mock battle that take place around historic Marblehead harbor and Fort Sewall. The event is rich in history and a great place to capture fun photographs. To see more images check out Wicked Local Marblehead.

Nikon D3s 1/800 @ f/5.6, ISO 400, 70-200mm

Parkour

Isabel Andrews, assistant coach, spots Alena Thalput, 13, as she leaps a wall gap at Somerville High School during the Somerville Recreation Department Parkour program.

For this image I chose to use a low angle to help clean up a distracting background and used the leading lines of the stairs and handrail to lead the viewers eye into the frame.

Nikon D4s, 1/800 @ f/6.3, ISO 100, 24-70mm

Salt Marsh Egrets

A lot of the time when I photograph wildlife at Parker River National Wildlife Refuge I use my car as a blind. Large shorebirds like egrets are less skittish of people than smaller birds, but a good way to get as close as possible is to not get out of you car. I usually find a good spot, stop and turn off the car and photograph through an open window. Most of the time this technique works out well.

Nikon D810, 1/2500 @ f/9, ISO 500, 500mm with a 1.4x teleconverter

Nikon D810, 1/2500 @ f/9, ISO 560, 500mm with a 1.4x teleconverter

Piping Plovers

I didn't plan on photographing a newly hatched piping plover chick but one morning at Sandy Point State Reservation I was confronted with a very willing subject. Usually these tiny shorebirds are difficult to photography. One reason is because they are very small and also extremely quick, making framing a photograph a challenge. However this piping plover chick gave me plenty of opportunities to take its portrait.

Nikon D810, 1/2000 @ f/9, ISO 560, 500mm with a 1.4x teleconverter

Nikon D810, 1/1600 @ f/7.1, ISO 220, 500mm with a 1.4x teleconverter

Fourth of July

People watch the Fourth of July fireworks at Singing Beach in Manchester by the Sea.

It's always fun to photograph fireworks. The challenge with photographing fireworks that tell a story is trying to capture the bright colorful fireworks as well as exposing for the general scene. It takes some experimentation and since some fireworks are bright and some are darker, your photos will all look a little different.

Fuji XT-1, 1 second @ f/5, ISO 3200, 18-55mm

Fuji XT-1, 1 second @ f/4, ISO 320, 18-55mm

Fuji XT-1, .5 second @ f/5, ISO 3200, 18-55mm